"If the visa application process is too cumbersome, demands too much time and the cost of the visa is perceived to be high, potential visitors are put off and quickly turn to the competition.

"That is why our main tourism rivals – Germany and France – continue to outperform the UK and enjoy significantly higher volumes of visitors and tourism exports from high spend visitors such as the Chinese."

"Hospitality and tourism businesses are already facing rising costs and the prospect of labour shortages, so it’s doubly important that the Government do not hinder our ability to compete.”